Glass Walls of the Castro

Read the story

Imagine a time when gay bars were hidden away, tucked into basements or behind unmarked doors for safety. Then came the Twin Peaks Tavern. When lesbian friends Mary Ellen Cunha and Peggy Forster bought the venue in 1972, they did something radical: they installed full-length, open plate glass windows.

It was the first known gay bar in the U.S. to display its patrons to the world rather than hiding them. The building itself has a long history, starting as a saloon and cigar shop in 1883, with a Mediterranean revival-style façade added in 1923.

For decades, those windows served as a bold statement of visibility and pride in the heart of the Castro. Today, it's a designated San Francisco landmark, reminding us that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply be seen.

Updated June 2026